The British Medical Association has issued a urgent warning to the Health Secretary over new online access regulations for GP practices, fearing potential delays and safety concerns as the October deadline approaches.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has issued an urgent ultimatum to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, demanding action within 48 hours to prevent a looming dispute over new online access requirements for GP surgeries in England. Set to take effect on October 1, these regulations will compel GP practices to keep online consultation tools open during working hours for non-urgent appointment requests, medication queries, and administrative matters. The BMA warns that this policy could have severe consequences for both patient and staff safety, as general practice faces an increased workload from managing a surge of online requests.
The BMA cautions that the mandated online access is likely to produce "hospital-style waiting lists in general practice," a scenario that could erode the availability of face-to-face appointments with GPs. Doctors will be tasked with triaging a vast backlog of patient requests, a process which, according to the association, will jeopardise patient care by making it harder to promptly identify urgent cases. This triage challenge is expected to stem from what the BMA describes as a "barrage" of unmet patient need manifesting through the new online channels.
The Health Secretary, according to the BMA, is fully aware of these risks but is pressing ahead with the changes regardless. This face-off highlights persistent tensions within the NHS frontline services, where the balance between expanding digital access and maintaining quality clinical care remains delicate. The concerns raised by the BMA reflect broader issues in general practice, including workforce shortages and increasing patient demand, which have been widely documented across health service reports.
While the government aims to modernise access and reduce pressure on frontline telephone lines through these online portals, critics argue that the policy overlooks the practical constraints and human resource limits in many GP surgeries. The BMA's call for intervention underscores the urgent need for a more considered approach that protects patient safety without overburdening healthcare professionals.
As the October deadline approaches, it remains unclear whether the Health Secretary will adjust the policy in response to the BMA’s warnings or proceed with implementation, potentially triggering a dispute that could further strain the already pressured general practice environment.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is current, dated September 29, 2025, and pertains to upcoming changes in GP online access requirements set to take effect on October 1, 2025. The British Medical Association (BMA) has issued an ultimatum to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, demanding action within 48 hours to prevent a dispute over these new regulations. The BMA's concerns about the potential impact on patient and staff safety due to increased online requests are timely and relevant. No evidence suggests that this content has been recycled or republished from other sources. The narrative is based on a recent press release from the BMA, which typically warrants a high freshness score. There are no discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes compared to earlier versions. The inclusion of updated data regarding the October 1 deadline and the BMA's response justifies a higher freshness score. No similar content has appeared more than 7 days earlier. The narrative does not recycle older material but provides new information on the BMA's recent actions and statements.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes attributed to Dr. Katie Bramall, BMA GP Committee Chairwoman, and Health Secretary Wes Streeting are consistent with their known positions and public statements. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating that the content is potentially original or exclusive. The wording of the quotes matches previous statements made by these individuals, suggesting authenticity.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Standard, a reputable UK news outlet known for its coverage of health and political issues. The BMA is a well-established and credible organisation representing medical professionals in the UK. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is a prominent political figure with a verifiable public presence. All entities mentioned in the report are verifiable and legitimate, lending strength to the source's reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative align with known developments in the NHS, including the introduction of online appointment requests for GP surgeries and the BMA's concerns about patient safety. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. However, the information is consistent with previous reports on similar topics, suggesting plausibility. The language and tone are appropriate for the region and topic, and there is no excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and consistent with typical corporate or official language.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current, original, and sourced from reputable entities. The claims made are plausible and consistent with known developments in the NHS. The lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets is noted but does not significantly impact the overall assessment. The language and tone are appropriate, and there are no signs of disinformation.
